Updated
10/05/2023
Do you enjoy observing relationships and analyzing group dynamics? Are yIf you have a passion for observing relationships and analyzing group dynamics, possess patience, good listening skills, and a desire to help others, a career as a counseling psychologist may be an excellent fit for you. Pursuing a master’s degree in counseling psychology online can be a great way to start your journey towards this rewarding profession.
Online counseling psychology master’s programs ground students with an understanding of mental health theories and principles focusing on healing and wellness. Students learn counseling techniques and strategies of prevention, intervention, and remediation to help patients develop healthy coping skills. Counseling psychologists help others to better themselves and are growing in demand. Both marriage and family therapy and rehabilitation and mental health counseling fields anticipate high growth over the next decade. School counseling is also expected to grow.
The process of selecting the right program can be daunting. However, this guide can assist you in choosing the most appropriate online counseling psychology master’s program for you. It outlines top programs, basic admission requirements, and coursework, as well as providing answers to frequently asked questions. Read on to gain insight on how to take the next step towards your new career.
Best Online Counseling Psychology Master’s Programs in 2024
Getting your master’s in counseling psychology online offers benefits like self-paced learning and work/life flexibility. You’ll also learn new technology skills while improving your virtual communication. Online programs also provide a unique opportunity to collaborate with other students from diverse backgrounds.
To assist in your search, we’ve highlighted this year’s top online counseling psychology master’s programs. Each offers a unique combination of affordability, flexibility, and accreditation to help you reach your career goals.
College Ranking Methodology
Generate List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
- Career placement and academic counseling services.
Assign Weightings
After generating the list of eligible schools, the STEPS data team then assigned weights and ranked schools based on their performance in a variety of key categories. Affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings, followed by online learning and academic quality metrics (equally weighted).
Online Learning
- Number of online programs in subject area self-reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.
- Percentage of graduate students at the school taking at least one class online.
Affordability
- Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on in-state tuition for graduate students per academic year.
Academic Quality
- Student-to-faculty ratio: Schools with lower ratios ranked higher.
- Percentage of students admitted. More selective schools ranked higher.
About Our Data
All STEPS rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: August 2023
Accreditation Glossary
ABHE: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation
ABHES: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
ACCJC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
ACCSC: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
DEAC: Distance Education Accrediting Commission
HLC: Higher Learning Commission
MSCHE: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
NECHE: New England Commission of Higher Education
NWCCU: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SACSCOC: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
TRACS: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission
WSCUC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
1
Waxahachie, Texas
The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program from Southwestern Assemblies of God University takes a biblical approach to prepare students to become licensed professional counselors. The curriculum is specifically designed to meet the licensure requirements for Texas, as well as to prepare students to advance to a doctoral counseling program. Because many students will have families and/or wish to continue working while in school, almost the entire program is online. However, there are two in-campus intensives during the course of the program, with each intensive lasting one week. There are also internship and practicum requirements that mean students must complete at least 600 hours of supervised, hands-on training. When applying to this program, individuals should note that there is a two-step process. The first step results in conditional admittance, followed by a formal admittance, which occurs each spring.
Program Highlights:
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Credits: 60
- Length: About 3 years
- Cost: $545/credit
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
2
Lynchburg, Virginia
Liberty University's CACREP-accredited Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling provides students with the training necessary to become licensed professional counselors. This training will come in three formats. The bulk of the academic learning will come through online coursework that lets students learn from anywhere and anytime. The second format consists of two on-campus intensives. This provides students the chance to interact with professors and classmates in a face-to-face setting, as well as take advantage of collaborative learning. Finally, students will complete a two-semester internship where they gain the required field experience for licensure. To accommodate transfer students, up to half of the required 60 credits can be taken at another institution of higher learning.
Program Highlights:
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Credits: 60
- Length: About 2.5 years
- Cost: $565/credit
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: (SACSCOC) (institutional); CACREP (programmatic)
3
San Diego, California
The California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University offers its Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling to individuals seeking the training necessary to become licensed professional clinical counselors in the state of California. To prepare these future clinical counselors, the curriculum consists of both classroom instruction and hands-on training. The former can largely be completed online, with many online classes covering a broad range of areas, including substance abuse, professional ethics, trauma, and psychopharmacology. In addition to classroom-based instruction, students will complete hands-on learning experiences. Specifically, they must complete 700 hours of experiential instruction, with at least 280 of those hours coming under the direct supervision of an appropriate mental health professional.
Program Highlights:
Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling
- Credits: 60
- Length: 2-3 years
- Cost: $762/credit
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: WSCUS (institutional; CACREP (programmatic)
4
Longmeadow, Massachusetts
5
Riverside, California
6
Honolulu, Hawaii